This varied thrush is in the same family as the robin, but for some reason we see them here more often in the winter or very early spring. I think this might be Mrs. Thrush.
Mr. Thrush, I presume? Either way, they are cooling their heels on the mound of snow that covers the top of a rhododendron. It seems Greedy Guts is hogging the feeder.
No one else can get near the suet block. I can just hear that starling calling from the feeder, “Eat your heart out.” Sure, the starlings are hungry too, but they don’t care if the other birds starve. I don’t like that.
100 Europeans starlings were introduced (unfortunately, IMHO) to North America in 1890-1891. Now the bullies are everywhere. Pests, they are. They do have a talent for mimicking other bird sounds, which makes them interesting, but still not lovable.
My pretty little thrushes, sparrows, chickadees, nuthatches, and juncos are afraid of the starlings and have to wait until he goes away to burp or take an antacid pill, before they can have a turn at the dinner table.
The starling’s coat is glittery
With iridescent shine.
His manners are atrocious,
But he’s master of the mime.
February 9, 2017 at 6:48 pm
A very good post and nice pictures. Thanks for sharing!
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February 9, 2017 at 6:56 pm
Thanks, Henrietta. Glad you liked it.
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February 9, 2017 at 6:58 pm
The Thrush is really pretty. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one!
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February 9, 2017 at 7:00 pm
My favourite is the Swainson’s thrush, similar to these – maybe not as bright. We rarely see them but we hear their beautiful song in the spring when they arrive here about May.
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February 9, 2017 at 7:44 pm
I agree the starlings are bullies and greedy too. I had to chuckle this morning, however, when a group of flickers showed up at the suet cages and scared the starlings off. Yippee! The varied thrush has only been hanging around my feeders now for about 3 days. So nice to see them again. Great photos, Anneli!
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February 9, 2017 at 8:13 pm
I’ve had one flicker here and he is bigger than the starlings. Wish he would spend more time here. Glad you liked the pics, Sonja. You’ll have to get out there with your camera too.
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February 9, 2017 at 8:07 pm
How pretty 🙂
All we see around here ar alligators, snakes, iguanas and squirrels …….
Cheers !
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February 9, 2017 at 8:11 pm
I’m not crazy about alligators or snakes, but I don’t mind seeing the iguanas or squirrels. We have only the squirrels here (from your list), but even those are few around our house. I hope they’re all sleeping until winter is over.
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February 9, 2017 at 10:38 pm
Haa,chubby birds. They sure are well feed
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February 10, 2017 at 7:21 am
Or – it could be that they’re cold and have their feathers fluffed up to keep warm.
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February 9, 2017 at 11:47 pm
Spectacular. Full stop.
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February 10, 2017 at 7:13 am
Thanks, David!
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February 10, 2017 at 12:13 am
Lovely post and pretty pictures!
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February 10, 2017 at 7:15 am
I think the thrushes look so pretty against the snowy white background.
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February 10, 2017 at 1:24 am
I just asked a fellow from Abbotsford if he thought varied tbrushes come to Vancouver Island. He was unsure. Now I have my answer. What types of seeds do they favour?
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February 10, 2017 at 7:20 am
I’m guessing they like the suet more than just seeds. They’re thrushes so probably they like insects better than seeds, but I’ve seen them eating berries when they’re desperate. And yes, their range goes up the coast a little way past Vancouver Island – not too much farther though.
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February 10, 2017 at 3:58 am
Oh my, your photos are stunning, Anneli.I’ve got to get your camera!
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February 10, 2017 at 7:16 am
I really like the camera because it’s user friendly – great for beginners like me.
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February 10, 2017 at 7:28 am
I think I’ve got it saved on my Amazon Wish List after you told me the name. 🙂
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February 10, 2017 at 9:40 am
I’m really happy with it. Hope you’ll get one too, one of these days.
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February 10, 2017 at 6:57 am
Lovely shots. I didn’t know that starlings were such bullies.
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February 10, 2017 at 7:17 am
Oh, yes, they’re regular seagulls at the feeder.
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February 11, 2017 at 6:28 am
A charming post. I loved learning about the starlings. The photos were delightful. It does look cold but beautiful! Have a happy weekend. Stay warm!
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February 11, 2017 at 9:12 am
Thanks, Lori. Have a great weekend yourself.
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February 13, 2017 at 7:51 am
Love the photos and gosh, I envy you all that snow. We’ve only seen about 20 halfhearted snowflakes over here this “winter”. Thanks for sharing! XX
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February 13, 2017 at 8:00 am
Aren’t you lucky!!!! The snow has been so deep and so long-lasting that it has been difficult to get around. Our road hasn’t been plowed for days and days, so we’re almost housebound except for the Captain’s valiant efforts to charge through the deep snow with our 4×4. My car is still resigned to the garage. The snow is starting to go, and I’ll be glad to see the last of it, pretty as it was.
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February 17, 2017 at 12:22 pm
The thrush couple is adorable and although territorial, I still love them! ❤ ❤ Cheers to the birds! xo
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February 19, 2017 at 6:22 pm
Thanks Robin. I really like them too.
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February 19, 2017 at 4:50 pm
I feel guilty about shooing the starlings away from the suet, but they sure take it over so our smaller (and seemingly sweeter) birds can’t get at it. The starlings just look mean, you know what I mean? 🙂 Your photos are phabulous (I’m in one of those moods). xo
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February 19, 2017 at 6:21 pm
I hate feeding the starlings because I’ve seen them fly away with baby birds from other nests. So glad you think my photos are phab.
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February 20, 2017 at 7:03 pm
Pretty birds. So bright and funny. They just live, and we enjoy to watch how they do it.
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February 20, 2017 at 7:45 pm
Wouldn’t it be nice if people could do that? Just live. Not get so tied in knots over things that won’t matter for long. I love watching the birds. They have the right idea.
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February 21, 2017 at 2:04 am
I agree.
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February 25, 2017 at 7:59 pm
Beautiful bird pictures Anneli, lovely to see! Too much snow this year. The birds appreciate your seeds to feed their little downy bodies.
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February 25, 2017 at 10:44 pm
Thanks, Marsha. You know it’s snowing again!!!
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